Alliance strains deepen as BJP, TIPRA Motha clash in Tripura

Agartala: Alliance tensions between the ruling BJP and its partner TIPRA Motha have flared ahead of next month’s Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections, after fresh unrest at Ramchandraghat in Khowai district.On Thursday, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Rupak Ghosh and his elderly mother, Meena Ghosh, sustained serious injuries when their home was allegedly attacked. Rupak is undergoing treatment at Agartala Govt Medical College, while his mother is admitted to Khowai Hospital.The BJP has accused TIPRA Motha supporters of orchestrating the assault, but local MLA Ranjit Debbarma dismissed the allegations as “propaganda” aimed at maligning his party.

According to BJP leaders, miscreants targeted Ghosh’s residence, sparking violence. Police are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation. Chief minister Manik Saha and state BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee condemned the incident, promising strict legal action and a thorough probe. A formal complaint has been lodged at Khowai Police Station.BJP’s Ramchandraghat unit claims the attack was intended to derail its March 8 motorcycle rally, announced by minister Bikash Debbarma.

TIPRA Motha’s Ranjit Debbarma, while condemning the violence, argued the clash stemmed from Holi celebrations at Ghosh’s home. He alleged that tribal youths invited to the festivities faced derogatory remarks, which escalated into confrontation. He also questioned the scope of the police inquiry into the incident’s circumstances.